When you think about it, the weekends are an opportunity for all families to get together and finally take the time to experience joyful moments, whether they are playful or cultural. How to occupy the children on weekends? Well, for example, by going on a little car trip in the Walloon Brabant region! This charming province, only 20 minutes from Brussels, is full of places that delight young and old alike. The weather forecast is looking good? A wide range of outdoor activities awaits visitors in Walloon Brabant! And for those gloomy days, the cultural venues open their doors wide.

Parks, monuments, lakes, Walloon Brabant is a playground for young and old

The Walloon Brabant region is ideal for spending wonderful fun times with your family. First of all, the children will be delighted to play safely in the immense playground of the Bois des Rêves. The playground offers the possibility to laugh to the rhythm of the games, swings, slides and courses adapted to all ages. One can also practice fishing, in a pond which is the meeting place of many palmipedes, or mountain biking. On the hottest days, everyone will be delighted to cool off in the paddling pool, the outdoor swimming pool or simply soak up the sun on the cool grass

The lake of Genval or the lake of Louvain-la-Neuve, the youngest town in Walloon Brabant, also offer an enchanting setting for walks. You can then enjoy relaxing moments in the heart of Walloon Brabant, provided you take care not to fall into the water! For those who enjoy water sports, Lake Genval offers boats, pedal boats, paddles and kayaks for hire for the pleasure of enjoying the setting with the gentle movements of the water

Another stage leads to the abbey of Villers-la-Ville, a monument dating from the 12th century.With its totally secure area, its tour route, its animals on the hill and its gardens, families can stroll there without fear, and children can enjoy themselves without any problem by taking bicycles and scooters along. It is also advisable to equip yourself with the augmented reality tablet which allows you to discover the history and anecdotes of the place in the company of the monk-ghost Odelin. Between beautiful stones and nature, the abbey is a stage which uses all the charms to seduce families

To go green, to stroll, to have fun, other spaces are stops not to be missed under any circumstances in Walloon Brabant. They combine the beauty of the heritage with the pleasures of nature. After a more or less long walk, children will be delighted to play safely in the park of Hélécine castle. After marvelling at the architecture of this splendid 18th century neoclassical building, various activities are possible with the playground, miniature golf and the possibility of fishing in one of the three ponds. Swans, ducks and geese accompany this enchanting setting that lends itself to relaxation. Feeling a little peckish? Barbecue pitches are available (from April to October) or the breweries on site welcome you on the terrace to taste the recipes that showcase local products, and for parents the opportunity to enjoy a good Belgian beer. Another interesting place, Solvay's immense regional estate also offers a moment of serenity for resting or taking magnificent walks among the trees, gardens and statues. It is also in the farm of the Château de la Hulpe that children can be made aware of art by going for a visit to the Folon Foundation. Its engravings, paintings, sculptures and other watercolours allow you to plunge into the heart of the universe of a Belgian artist of international renown.

As for fun and sensations, Walibiis the amusement park not to be missed in Walloon Brabant! With its many attractions adapted to all ages, it has something to delight the whole family. Looking for a tropical atmosphere? Head for Aqualibi with its many slides, water jets and other water fun! To gain height and enjoy thrills among the trees, the trip can also lead to the Adventure Park, in Wavre. 240 games, 24 accrobranche courses, the games are progressive and adapted to all ages. Beautiful moments of complicity in perspective..

Alongside these must-sees, you'll find a multitude offun activities! Jumping on huge trampolines, playing golf with a Frisbee, discovering a city on a Segway or playing a laser game... Everything is possible in the Walloon Brabant region!

The region's cultural venues await families

Want to learn while having fun? Walloon Brabant has something to delight locals and visitors alike! Some tourist sites have paid special attention to children and have developed some great tours. Is it raining? Don't worry, the cultural places of Walloon Brabant welcome the whole family!

History enthusiasts experience an astonishing cultural moment in the heart of the Battle of Waterloo by visiting the Waterloo 1815 Memorial. The site includes the Lion's Mound, the Memorial Museum, the panorama and the Hougoumont farm. The Memorial Museum offers a multi-sensory experience that is unique in Europe thanks to its 4D film projected on a 26m long panoramic screen that helps to better understand the historical confrontations. Later, we climb the Lion's Hill, letting the children count the number of steps to reach the top... Then, we end the visit by the Hougoumont farm, the best preserved witness of the battle. There you will discover an original scenography and a fantastic multimedia show with animated panels.

4 km away, Napoleon's last headquarters allows you to relive the night before the famous Battle of Waterloo. Here you can discover Napoleon, his officers, aides de camp and surgeons through an impressive scenography. Children will be able to observe and touch many objects to understand the course of the battle. The Emperor's bed is even still in the farmhouse!

Finally, an urban getaway in the city of Louvain-la-Neuve is the opportunity to visit its must-see museums. The Hergé Museum, creator of Tintin, is housed in a modern building. The place is like a colourful paradise for children discovering the life and work of the Belgian artist. Children, but also adults will surely want after the visit to plunge or dive back into the comic strips that go through the ages. At Museum L, Belgium's largest university museum, children can interact with the works of art and touch them as well as take part in numerous experiments. They will discover collections from the five continents, from prehistory to the 20th century. Good plan: every first Sunday of the month, many museums open their doors for free!

A little break is in order! It's time to taste one of the many specialities of Walloon Brabant: chocolate for Thomas, a piece of pie for Juliette, a good beer for daddy and local wine for mummy! To regain your strength, you end the day in a luxury or family hotel, a cosy bed and breakfast or a farmhouse... Have fun!

More information on the website of the Walloon Brabant Tourist Office.